New and Improved...

Hebrews 8:7-13

Up to this point, the author has focused on the superior priesthood of Christ. As proof, the author emphasized that Jesus belonged to the priestly order of Mechizedek (superior to the levitical priesthood) and ministered in the heavenly sanctuary (superior to the earthly tabernacle). As part of the argument, the author made a statement that the new priesthood required a new law or new covenant. Now the author is arguing that the new covenant is superior to the old.
The author's argument is that there would be no need for a new covenant if there was nothing wrong with the old covenant. Therefore, by its very existence, the new covenant shows itself to be superior to the old covenant. The author directs the reader's attention to Jeremiah 31:31-34 to remind the reader that the new covenant was promised by God even while the old covenant was still in existence. At the end of the quote, the author declares that the new makes the old obsolete.
The features of the new covenant are quite interesting: it involves both Israel and Judah, which, at the time of Jeremiah, were two separate kingdoms. Therefore the new covenant is going to re-unite what is separated. Obviously, looking back from our position in history, the full implications are that even Gentiles are going to be brought in as part of the new covenant. The new covenant will be unconditional. Unlike the old covenant which depended on the faithful observance of the nation, the new covenant will depend solely on the faithfulness of God and the sacrifice of Christ. The new covenant will do away with the religious structures and rituals of the old. God will speak directly to people and it will not be necessary to go through a human priest or a religious ritual to approach him. He will write his laws directly on the hearts and minds of the people. They will no longer need to rely on priests for the Lord will reveal himself directly to people. The new covenant will be based on the forgiveness of sin.
I am so glad that I live in the time of the new covenant. If I lived during the time of the old covenant, I think that I would be someone who is very good at observing the rituals and traditions but my life and heart would be void of any spiritual vitality. I would miss the point of the rituals and focus on the rituals themselves. I am glad that I live in a time when the Spirit speaks directly to people and is not mediated through a priestly system. I am glad that I live in a time when Jesus is my superior high priest of a superior priestly order and has brought in a superior covenant with superior promises. I am humbled that God has chosen me to be one to whom he has revealed himself and in whom he has written his law. What a privilege and what grace!